Loving Ash [a.i.] {Original Version}

Chapter Forty-Seven: What do we do?

Song: Everything I Didn't Say by 5 Seconds of Summer

Chapter Forty-Seven: What do we do?

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[Ashley]

My hands were shaking as I stepped around Ashton. He watched me in confusion, his hands dropping to his sides. I sat on the edge of my bed, flicking the bedside lamp on. The light flooded the room, casting a yellow glow along the floor.

"Remember when we were kids," I started, pulling my knees to my chest and leaning against the headboard. Ashton sat next to me, clasping his hands in his lap. "And I told you I was going to go as far away as I could?"

He nodded, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed. His eyes stayed on my face, the dread and nervousness clear. I clasped my own hands around my legs, resting my cheek on my bent knees.

"Well, I applied to Manchester University last semester," I informed him, studying his face. His jaw clenched, his eyes closing briefly. "For the filming and photography scholarship. It was a slim chance I would get it to begin with, but it didn't hurt any less when I got the rejection letter."

"Ashley," he placed his hand on my knee. I shook my head, sitting up and looking towards the window.

"That's one of the reasons I went with you guys," I said softly. Rejection after rejection, that's why. "And then Lance broke up with me, I just...I needed to get away, you know?"

A soft grunt was his reply. I sighed, turning to face him. His eyes were on the duvet, his fingers picking at a stray string.

"Last night," I started, my lips and throat suddenly feeling dry. Why was I having such a hard time with this? I licked my lips, before continuing. "Last night I got a phone call."

I heard his sharp intake of breath, but he never lifted his eyes from my blanket.

"It was the university," I breathed, closing my eyes as I spoke the words. I couldn't keep staring at him. "The guy who got the scholarship changed his mind or something. They chose me to replace him. I got the scholarship."

"That's great, Princess," he said, his voice husky. He grinned at me, his green eyes holding mine.

"Ashton," I breathed, shaking my head. "I'll be in London."

"That's okay," he nodded, running a hand through his hair. I watched him chew on his lip as he thought. "We can make it work."

"You're hardly ever in London and we both know it, Ash," I whispered, biting my own lip as I tried to keep my emotions in check. Taking the scholarship meant leaving this place. And that included leaving behind all my ties to this place.

"So what?" His voice was hard, but I could see the panic in his eyes. He was just as scared as I was. "We give up just like that? We don't even try to make it work?"

"I don't see how we can," I mumbled, rubbing my eyes. I didn't want to lose him, but this scholarship was everything. It was my dream! "Ashton, you're either here in Sydney or somewhere else in the world. Think about it! We would hardly see each other."

"I don't want to give up on us, Ashley," he whispered.

"So what do we do?" I asked him, wrapping my arms around myself. "What do we do?"

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So...one chapter left guys!

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Layna xo